Out of the U.S
At the start of the week, inflation was back in focus, with the U.S annual rate of inflation accelerating from 7.9% to 8.5%. In March, the core annual rate of inflation picked up from 6.4% to 6.5%.
On Thursday, the market focus shifted to retail sales, jobless claims, and consumer sentiment.
In March, retail sales increased by 0.5%, with core retail sales rising by 1.10%. Economists had forecast increases of 0.6% and 1.0%, respectively.
Jobless claims held below the 200k level. In the week ending April-08, jobless claims increased from 167k to 185k.
While of less influence, consumer sentiment also drew interest amidst the shift in FED policy forced by the surge in consumer prices.
In April, the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index jumped from 59.4 to 65.7.
In the week ending April 15, 2022, the Dollar Spot Index rose by 0.71% to end the week at 100.50. The Index jumped by 1.18% to 99.796 in the week prior.
